Cable tie for transporting articles

ABSTRACT

Cable ties having a handle for transporting articles secured by the cable tie are described. A typical cable tie may include a shackle and a shackle lock, wherein the shackle is inserted into the shackle lock where it may be engaged thereby and held fixed reversibly or releasably, thereby holding an article encircled by the shackle. The plane of the handle can be perpendicular or parallel to the plane formed by the shackle when engaged by the shackle lock, or somewhere in between, depending on the desired use; a swivel may be employed to provide an infinite variation of angles. Handles can be formed in many shapes, and may have finger indentations for ease of carrying, and means for attaching the handle are varied. Identification flags can be formed onto the handles or elsewhere on a cable tie for providing a location to identify the user, the article, etc.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cable ties and, moreparticularly, to cable ties adapted for carrying articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cable ties for binding cables, wires and the like are well known in theart. Such ties can be purchased in many materials and designs. Somecable tie configurations include screw mounts for supporting the cableson walls, cabinets, and the like. It would be of value to enable anarticle bound by a cable tie to be readily carried in order that thearticle can be transported.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cabletie adapted for carrying or transporting articles bound thereby.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbe set forth, in part, in the description that follows, and, in part,will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with itspurposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly describedherein, the cable tie carrier hereof includes an elongated shackle; alocking socket located at one end of the shackle and adapted to receiveand lock the shackle at selected positions along the length thereof,thereby forming a loop capable of binding a chosen article; and a handleattached to the locking socket adapted for carrying the cable tiecarrier and the chosen article bound thereby.

In another aspect of the invention and in accordance with its objectsand purposes, the cable tie carrier hereof includes: an elongatedshackle; a locking socket located at one end of the shackle and adaptedto receive and lock the shackle at selected positions along the lengththereof forming a loop capable of binding a chosen article; handleattachment means; and a handle for carrying the cable tie and the chosenarticle bound thereby attached to said handle attachment means.

Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are notlimited to, the use of cable tie technology for transporting itemsenclosed by the shackle of the cable tie.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthe specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the presentinvention showing the attachment of a handle to a screw-mounted cabletie, wherein the plane of the shackle, when securing an article iscoplanar with that of the handle; FIG. 1B is a schematic representationof an exploded view of the parts of the handle shown in FIG. 1A whichinclude a hollow or solid bar and tubing adapted for attaching to thebar; FIG. 1C is a schematic representation of the parts of the handleshown in FIG. 1B hereof assembled in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention to produce the handle for transporting articlescaptured by the cable tie hereof; FIG. 1D is a schematic representationof an embodiment of the invention wherein the attachment locations ofthe tubing are formed from projections on the cable tie; FIG. 1E is aschematic representation of an embodiment of the invention wherein ascrew mounted cable tie is attached to a T-shaped handle havingprojections adapted to receive a hollow or solid bar which is passedthrough the screw mount of the cable tie; and FIG. 1F is a schematicrepresentation of an embodiment of the invention wherein the cable tieis attached to a handle through a swivel device.

FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of a molded embodiment of thecable tie carrier of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A hereof, andlike FIG. 1A, has the plane of the loop formed by the shackle, whensecuring an article, coplanar with the plane of the handle; FIG. 2B is aschematic representation of the cable tie carrier of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 2A hereof, except that unlike FIG. 2A the planeof the loop of the formed by the shackle when securing an article isperpendicular to the plane of the handle; FIG. 2C is a schematicrepresentation of another molded embodiment of the inventionillustrating a plurality of ball-shaped latching elements disposed alongan elongated shackle; and FIG. 2D is a schematic representation of yetanother molded embodiment of the cable tie carrier of the presentinvention illustrating a plurality of conical-shaped latching elementsare disposed along an elongated shackle.

FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of the molded embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 2A hereof, but having a rectangularhandle, wherein the plane of the loop formed by the shackle whensecuring an article is also perpendicular to the plane of the handle,except in a plane perpendicular to that shown in FIG. 2b, while FIG. 3Bis a schematic representation of the molded embodiment shown in FIG. 3A,hereof, wherein the rectangular handle has finger indentations.

FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of the molded embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 2A hereof, but having a triangularhandle, while FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of the moldedembodiment shown in FIG. 4A hereof, wherein the triangular handleincludes a label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Briefly, the present invention includes cable ties having handles forcarrying articles secured by the cable tie. A typical cable tie includesa shackle and a shackle lock, wherein the shackle is inserted into theshackle lock where it may be engaged thereby and held fixed reversiblyor releasably, thereby being capable of holding an article encircled bythe shackle. The plane of the handle can be perpendicular or parallel tothe plane formed by the shackle when engaged by the shackle lock, orsomewhere in between, depending on the desired use. Means for attachingthe handle are varied. The cable ties and handles may be molded orassembled from parts, or a combination thereof, and can be made from amultitude of materials depending on the purpose. The handles can beformed in many shapes, including circular, rectangular and triangular,and may have finger indentations for ease of carrying. Identificationflags can be formed onto the handles or elsewhere on the cable ties forproviding a location to identify the user, the article, etc. Cooperationbetween the shackle lock and the shackle to achieve a useful grasp on anarticle to be transported, may be achieve in several ways known in theart; this may be a one time use or releasable for repeated usage.

More than one locking socket and shackle may be attached or molded ontoa single handle, and more than one handle may be attached to or moldedonto a single locking socket.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. In what follows, identical callouts will be usedfor similar or identical structure. Turning now to FIG. 1A hereof, shownis a schematic representation of an embodiment of the present inventionillustrating the attachment of handle, 10, to a screw-mounted cable tie,12, the cable tie including shackle, 14, shackle locking socket, 16, andscrew mount, 18. In this embodiment, solid or hollow bar, 20, isinserted into screw mount 18 of a commercial, screw-mounted cable tie asis illustrated in FIGS. 1 b and 1 c hereof, and ends, 22 a and 22 b, oftubing, 24, are attached to the ends of bar 20 extending beyond thedimensions of screw mount 18. This may be achieved by locally heatingtube ends 22 a and 22 b and forcing them onto the ends of bar 20, or bya number of other methods for securing tubing to a rod. Clamps, forexample, may be used, as can adhesive compositions. It should bementioned that solid or hollow bar 20 can be threaded in somesituations. As stated, the cable tie may be fabricated from materialssuch as Nylon 6/6, Tefzel, Nylon 12, Deltec, Halar, polypropylene, andmetals depending on their intended use. Metals may include stainlesssteel. In the situation where the handle is not integrally molded withthe cable tie, the handle may be fabricated from other materials thanthat of the cable tie. Such materials may include polypropylene,polyethylene, Tygon, and the like. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A-1C, theplane of handle 10 is coplanar with the plane formed when shackle 14 isinserted into locking socket 16.

FIG. 1D is a schematic representation of another embodiment of theinvention, wherein cable tie, 26, is formed with projections, 28 a and28 b, extending in substantially opposite directions from a portion, 30,of cable tie 26 located on the side of locking socket 16 away fromshackle 14 to which ends 22 a and 22 b are attached in a similar mannerto that described hereinabove. Projections 28 a and 28 b may extend in adirection perpendicular or parallel to the plane formed when shackle 14is inserted into locking socket 16, and in directions in between thesedirections.

FIG. 1E is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention,wherein a screw mounted cable tie 12 is attached to a T-shaped handle 10having projections, 31 a and 31 b, adapted to receive a hollow or solidbar 20 which is passed through screw mount 18 of cable tie 12, therebysecuring cable tie 12 to handle 10. T-shaped handle 10 can be formedwith finger indentations, 42, to assist in effectively holding handle10.

FIG. 1F is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the inventionwherein cable tie 12 is attached to handle 10 through swivel device, 29.This permits the plane of the loop formed when shackle 14 is insertedinto shackle locking socket 16 to be rotated relative to the plane ofhandle 10. Swivel device 29 can be made of any materials that permitswivel 29 to be attached to cable tie 12 and to handle 10. Set screws,not shown, provide one means for such attachment. Clearly, if a cabletie mounted onto a handle as described in FIG. 1G hereof, also includesswivel 29, the plane formed when shackle 14 is inserted into shacklelocking socket 16 can be rotated in yet another direction relative tothe plane of handle 10. T-shaped handle 10 can be formed with fingerindentations, 42, to assist in effectively holding handle 10.

FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of a molded embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 1 a hereof, and like FIG. 1A, has theplane of the loop formed by the shackle, when securing an article,coplanar with that of the handle. Shackle locking socket 16 isintegrally formed with handle 10. FIG. 2B is a schematic representationof the cable tie carrier of the present invention shown in FIG. 2Ahereof, except that unlike FIG. 2A the plane of the loop of the formedby shackle 14 in cooperation with locking socket 16, when securing anarticle is perpendicular to the plane of handle 10. This embodiment iseffective for securing and carrying bottles and plastic bags, asexamples, since the plane of the shackle permits a bottle to be securedaround its neck and carried in a vertical orientation.

FIG. 2C is a schematic representation of the invention showing a moldedcable tie carrier wherein a plurality of ball-shaped latching elements,32 a-32 e, are disposed along an elongated shackle, 34. Shackle lockingsocket 16 is adapted to receive and reversibly lock shackle 34. FIG. 2Dis a schematic representation of the invention showing a molded cabletie carrier wherein a plurality of conical-shaped latching elements, 36a-36 d, are disposed along an elongated shackle, 38. Shackle lockingsocket 16 is adapted to receive and reversibly lock shackle 34.

FIGS. 2C and 2D are included to illustrate that there are many shackleand shackle locking sockets that are available to be used in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of another embodiment of themolded embodiment shown in FIG. 2A hereof, but having rectangularhandle, 40, wherein the plane of the loop formed by the shackle whensecuring an article is perpendicular to that of handle 40. It should bementioned that the perpendicularity of planes in this embodiment of thepresent invention is different from that described in FIG. 2B hereof.FIG. 3B is a schematic representation another embodiment of the moldedembodiment shown in FIG. 3A, hereof, wherein handle 40 has fingerindentations, 42, to assist in effectively grasping handle 40. Alsoshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are the teeth, 44, formed in shackle 14 adaptedto be engaged by shackle locking socket 16.

FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of the molded embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 2A hereof, but having triangular handle,46, while FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of the molded embodimentshown in FIG. 4A hereof, wherein the triangular handle includes label,48, suitable for being written upon, stamped or otherwise marked foridentification of the articles or other identification. Label 48 mayalso be attached to the shackle or formed in the handle itself. Clearly,the triangular handle can be adapted to include finger indentationssimilar to those illustrated in FIG. 3B hereinabove.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description and is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, andobviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical application to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention invarious embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of theinvention be defined by the claims appended hereto.

1. A cable tie carrier comprising in combination: an elongated shackle; a locking socket located at one end of said shackle and adapted to receive and lock said shackle at selected positions along the length thereof, thereby forming a loop capable of binding a chosen article; and a handle attached to said locking socket adapted for carrying said cable tie and the chosen article bound thereby.
 2. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said shackle is substantially flat with teeth on one side thereof, and said locking socket comprises locking tangs for engaging at least one of said teeth on said shackle.
 3. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said shackle is cylindrical in shape with a plurality of substantially spherical balls fixed at chosen distances along the length thereof, and wherein said locking socket comprises means for engaging at least one of said plurality of balls.
 4. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said shackle is cylindrical in shape with a plurality of substantially conical units fixed at chosen distances along the length thereof, each of said plurality of substantially conical units having its axis of rotation collinear with said shackle, and wherein said locking socket comprises means for engaging at least one of said plurality of conical units.
 5. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said locking socket comprises a releasable locking socket.
 6. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one flag.
 7. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said flag is attached to said shackle.
 8. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said cable tie is molded.
 9. The cable tie carrier of claim 8, wherein said cable tie is molded from thermoplastic materials.
 10. The cable tie carrier of claim 8, wherein said cable tie is molded from chemical resistant materials.
 11. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said cable tie is fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of Nylon 6/6, Tefzel, Nylon 12, Deltec, Halar, polypropylene, and metals.
 12. The cable tie carrier of claim 11, wherein said metals comprise stainless steel.
 13. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said handle is fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and Tygon.
 14. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said handle is substantially planar, and wherein the plane of said handle is parallel to the plane of the loop.
 15. The cable tie carrier of claim 14, wherein said handle is circular.
 16. The cable tie carrier of claim 14, wherein said handle is rectangular.
 17. The cable tie carrier of claim 16, wherein said handle further comprises finger indentations.
 18. The cable tie carrier of claim 14, wherein said handle is triangular.
 19. The cable tie carrier of claim 18, wherein said handle further comprises finger indentations.
 20. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, wherein said handle is substantially planar, and wherein the plane of said handle is perpendicular to the plane of the loop.
 21. The cable tie carrier of claim 20, wherein said handle is circular.
 22. The cable tie carrier of claim 20, wherein said handle is rectangular.
 23. The cable tie carrier of claim 22, wherein said handle further comprises finger indentations.
 24. The cable tie carrier of claim 20, wherein said handle is triangular.
 25. The cable tie carrier of claim 24, wherein said handle further comprises finger indentations.
 26. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one second handle attached to said locking socket.
 27. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one second locking socket attached to said handle and at least one second shackle attached to said second locking socket.
 28. The cable tie carrier of claim 1, further comprising a swivel disposed between said locking socket and said handle.
 29. A cable tie carrier comprising in combination: an elongated shackle; a locking socket located at one end of said shackle and adapted to receive and lock said shackle at selected positions along the length thereof forming a loop capable of binding a chosen article; handle attachment means; and a handle for carrying said cable tie and the chosen article bound thereby attached to said handle attachment means.
 30. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said locking socket has a hole therethrough, wherein said handle attachment means comprises a rod having a first end and a second end capable of being inserted into the hole in said locking socket, the first end and the second end of said rod extending a chosen distance outside of the hole, and wherein said handle comprises flexible tubing having a first end and a second end adapted for fitting onto the first end and the second end of said rod, respectively.
 31. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said locking socket further comprises a first projection and a second projection, each of said first projection and said second projection having a chosen length and a chosen diameter, said locking socket and said first projection and said second projection together forming said handle attachment means, and wherein said handle comprises flexible tubing having a first end and a second end adapted for fitting onto said first projection and said second projection of said locking, respectively.
 32. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said shackle is substantially flat with teeth on one side thereof, and said locking socket comprises locking tangs for engaging at least one of said teeth on said shackle.
 33. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said shackle is cylindrical in shape with a plurality of substantially spherical balls fixed at chosen distances along the length thereof, and said locking socket comprises means for engaging at least one of said plurality of balls.
 34. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said shackle is cylindrical in shape with a plurality of substantially conical units fixed at chosen distances along the length thereof, each of said plurality of substantially conical units having its axis of rotation collinear with said shackle, and wherein said locking socket comprises means for engaging at least one of said plurality of conical units.
 35. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said locking socket comprises a releasable locking socket.
 36. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, further comprising at least one flag.
 37. The cable tie carrier of claim 36, wherein said flag is attached to said shackle.
 38. The cable tie carrier of claim 36, wherein said flag is attached to said handle.
 39. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said cable tie is molded.
 40. The cable tie carrier of claim 39, wherein said cable tie is molded from thermoplastic materials.
 41. The cable tie carrier of claim 39, wherein said cable tie is molded from chemical resistant materials.
 42. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said cable tie is fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of Nylon 6/6, Tefzel, Nylon 12, Deltec, Halar, polypropylene, and metals.
 43. The cable tie carrier of claim 42, wherein said metals comprise stainless steel.
 44. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said handle is fabricated from materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and Tygon.
 45. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said handle is substantially planar, and wherein the plane of said handle is parallel to the plane of the loop.
 46. The cable tie carrier of claim 45, wherein said handle is circular.
 47. The cable tie carrier of claim 45, wherein said handle is rectangular.
 48. The cable tie carrier of claim 47, wherein said handle further comprises finger indentations.
 49. The cable tie carrier of claim 45, wherein said handle is triangular.
 50. The cable tie carrier of claim 49, wherein said handle further comprises finger indentations.
 51. The cable tie carrier of claim 44, wherein said handle is T-shaped.
 52. The cable tie carrier of claim 51, wherein said T-shaped handle further comprises finger indentations.
 53. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, wherein said handle is substantially planar, and wherein the plane of said handle is perpendicular to the plane of the loop.
 54. The cable tie carrier of claim 53, wherein said handle is circular.
 55. The cable tie carrier of claim 53, wherein said handle is rectangular.
 56. The cable tie carrier of claim 55, wherein said handle further comprises finger indentations.
 57. The cable tie carrier of claim 53, wherein said handle is triangular.
 58. The cable tie carrier of claim 57, wherein said handle further comprises finger indentations.
 59. The cable tie carrier of claim 53, wherein said handle is T-shaped.
 60. The cable tie carrier of claim 59, wherein said T-shaped handle further comprises finger indentations.
 61. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, further comprising at least one second handle attached to said locking socket.
 62. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, further comprising at least one second locking socket attached to said handle and at least one second shackle attached to said second locking socket.
 63. The cable tie carrier of claim 29, further comprising swivel means disposed between said locking socket and said handle. 